Exodus 9:23
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֨ט
stretched forth
H5186
וַיֵּ֨ט
stretched forth
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
1 of 19
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַטֵּהוּ֮
his rod
H4294
מַטֵּהוּ֮
his rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
4 of 19
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַשָּׁמַיִם֒
toward heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַיִם֒
toward heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
6 of 19
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָתַ֤ן
sent
H5414
נָתַ֤ן
sent
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ
ran along
H1980
וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ
ran along
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 18:13The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.Joshua 10:11And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.Isaiah 30:30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.Ezekiel 38:22And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.Revelation 8:7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.Psalms 148:8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:Psalms 77:18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.Psalms 29:3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
Historical Context
Nut, sky goddess, arched over earth as protective dome. Seth controlled storms and chaos. The storm's supernatural nature—fire and ice together—proves divine origin. Only those who 'feared the word of the LORD' (v.20) saved their livestock.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use creation to reveal His power?
- What does the response of God-fearing Egyptians (v.20) teach about individual faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 23 describes the plague of hail with fire, targeting Nut (sky goddess) and Seth (storm god). This unprecedented storm combines hail and fire, destroying crops and livestock left in fields. God reveals 'there is none like me in all the earth' (v.14).